Strut Commander Original Strut Commander Review

What Happened When I Tried the Strut Commander Original Strut Commander

The woods have a language all their own, a symphony of rustles, chirps, and, if you’re lucky, the resonant gobble of a tom turkey. For years, I’ve been trying to speak that language, and over time, I’ve learned that the tools you use can make all the difference. When it comes to turkey calls, especially for those of us who aren’t seasoned pros, finding a reliable way to produce realistic sounds is paramount. That’s where the Strut Commander Original Strut Commander came into my field kit. I picked this call up looking for something that wouldn’t require an advanced degree in avian acoustics, something that could help me bridge the gap between a beginner’s hesitant cluck and a mature hen’s confident yelp.

My previous attempts with other calls had been, frankly, hit-or-miss. Some were too difficult to manipulate, others produced sounds that I doubted any self-respecting turkey would mistake for a genuine invitation. I needed a call that was forgiving but effective, a tool that could help me improve my calling skills without demanding perfect execution on every breath. I’d considered a few other diaphragm calls, but the Strut Commander Original Strut Commander stood out due to its focus on producing a raspy yelp, a sound crucial for convincing a wary bird. My initial impression upon unboxing was one of practical simplicity; it felt like a tool designed for purpose, not for show.

There was an immediate sense of potential, a quiet confidence that this call might actually deliver on its promise. It wasn’t flashy, but it felt solid and ready for the field. I’d also looked at some box calls, which offer a different kind of sound, but for portability and the specific vocalizations I was after, a diaphragm call felt more appropriate for my current needs. My first thought was, “This might actually work.”

Real-World Testing: Putting Strut Commander Original Strut Commander to the Test

My testing grounds for the Strut Commander Original Strut Commander were the dew-kissed fields and dense woodlots of early spring turkey season. I’ve spent countless mornings in the pre-dawn chill, tucked against a familiar oak, attempting to coax a response from the resident gobblers. This is where a turkey call truly earns its keep, tested not on a workbench, but against the acute hearing of a wild turkey. I specifically focused on practicing yelps, clucks, and purrs, the core vocabulary of a hen turkey, and observed how the call reacted to varying air pressure and tongue placement.

Over several outings, I put this diaphragm call through its paces. It was exposed to the usual field conditions: a bit of moisture from damp vegetation, the occasional breeze that can carry sound and obscure your location, and of course, repeated use throughout long hunting days. I found the ease of use to be quite high; after a brief adjustment period to find the right tension and air flow, producing a consistent sound became second nature. The primary challenge was learning to control the subtle nuances that differentiate a young hen’s tentative call from a mature hen’s confident communication, a task made easier by the call’s inherent design.

Beyond those initial hunts, the Strut Commander Original Strut Commander has become a reliable fixture in my turkey hunting gear. It’s been stuffed into vest pockets, sometimes a bit hastily, and has endured the rigors of being carried afield. I haven’t noticed any significant degradation in its performance; the latex diaphragm remains pliable, and the cut of the reeds seems to hold its shape. Maintenance is minimal, essentially just an occasional rinse and ensuring it dries properly before storage to prevent mold or damage. Compared to some of the more finicky calls I’ve used in the past, which required precise humidity control or specific storage methods, this one has been refreshingly low-maintenance, performing consistently even when conditions weren’t ideal.

First Use Experience

My initial foray with the Strut Commander Original Strut Commander took place on a crisp morning in a section of state forest known for its turkey population. I found a promising roosting area and settled in, the call already positioned in my mouth. The first few attempts were experimental, testing the limits of volume and tone by varying my breath and tongue pressure. The call immediately produced a sound that was surprisingly full, with a distinct raspiness that I’d been aiming for.

It felt natural relatively quickly. I wasn’t struggling to hold it in place or constantly adjusting it, which is a common frustration with some diaphragm calls. The sound it produced was a decent yelp, not overly sharp or weak, and it had a quality that I felt could carry and attract attention. One small surprise was how little air it seemed to require to produce a decent tone, which is a relief for an older hunter who finds lung capacity isn’t what it used to be.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several weeks of regular use throughout the turkey season, the Strut Commander Original Strut Commander has proven itself to be a durable and consistent performer. I’ve used it during practice sessions at home as well as on multiple hunting trips, and it has held up admirably. There are no signs of the latex drying out or cracking, and the cut of the reeds remains sharp and functional. I haven’t experienced any premature failure points, which speaks to the quality of its construction.

It cleans up easily with a quick rinse under cool water and needs to be air-dried thoroughly. Storing it dry is key to its longevity. When compared to the multitude of other diaphragm calls I’ve owned, this one falls into the middle ground in terms of longevity, offering a solid lifespan without being an exorbitant investment. It’s certainly outlasted some of the bargain-bin calls that lose their rasp after only a few outings.

Breaking Down the Features of Strut Commander Original Strut Commander

Specifications

The Strut Commander Original Strut Commander is a latex diaphragm call, specifically designed for turkey hunting. Its core feature is a triple reed design, which is engineered to produce a distinctively raspy yelp. This design aims to mimic the natural vocalizations of a hen turkey more closely than simpler single or double reed calls. The call is characterized by its soft to medium volume output, making it ideal for situations where subtlety is key, or for intermediate callers who might overpower a call with too much force.

The dimensions are listed as 8 inches in length, 3.8 inches in width, and 1 inch in height, with a lightweight feel of only 0.07 lbs. These dimensions make it a compact and unobtrusive piece of gear to carry. The fact that it’s designed for intermediate callers suggests a focus on user-friendliness; it aims to strike a balance between ease of use and realistic sound production, avoiding the steep learning curve of some advanced calls while still offering enough complexity to sound authentic.

Performance & Functionality

In terms of its primary function – producing turkey sounds – the Strut Commander Original Strut Commander performs quite well, especially for its intended user. The triple reed design delivers on its promise of a raspy yelp. When I blew into it with moderate pressure, it produced a sound that was undeniably turkey-like, with a convincing grit that’s often missing in less complex calls. This raspiness is crucial for cutting through the ambient noise of the woods and grabbing the attention of distant birds.

However, the soft to medium volume is a double-edged sword. While it’s great for close-range calling or for callers who struggle with overblowing, it means that this call might not have the sheer volume to reach a gobbler that’s holding up far out in a large field. For those situations, a louder call or a different type of call might be more effective. Overall, it excels at producing a realistic, raspy yelp, but its volume can be limiting in certain scenarios.

Design & Ergonomics

The design of this diaphragm call is simple and functional, as is typical for this style of turkey call. It consists of a latex diaphragm stretched over a frame, designed to be held against the roof of the mouth. The triple reed configuration is the most prominent design element, clearly intended to maximize the rasp factor. The latex feels supple and appropriately thick for durability without sacrificing flexibility, which is crucial for producing a range of sounds.

Ergonomically, it’s comfortable enough once you get used to its placement. The initial learning curve involves finding the right position and tongue pressure to get the best sound without discomfort or air leaks. For intermediate users, this should come relatively quickly. The lack of any additional features or complex mechanisms keeps it straightforward; its design is entirely focused on its primary purpose, which in this case, is producing that signature raspy yelp.

Durability & Maintenance

Durability is a key consideration for any piece of gear that’s going to be used outdoors, and this diaphragm call holds up reasonably well. The latex diaphragm is the most critical component, and its longevity depends on proper care. As long as it’s kept clean and dry when not in use, the triple reed design should maintain its integrity for a significant number of hunting seasons. I haven’t experienced any tearing or premature aging of the material with my usage.

Maintenance is straightforward: a simple rinse with clean water after each use is generally sufficient, followed by air drying. It’s important to avoid storing it while wet, as this can lead to mold or degradation of the latex. Keeping it in a small, breathable case or the original packaging when not in immediate use can also help protect it from damage and keep it clean. Considering its price point and intended use, its durability is quite satisfactory.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Strut Commander Original Strut Commander comes as a standalone diaphragm call, with no additional accessories included. Its nature as a latex diaphragm call means there are no real “customization options” in the traditional sense, such as interchangeable parts or attachments. The customization for this type of call comes entirely from the user’s ability to manipulate their breath, tongue, and mouth to produce different sounds and volumes.

However, many hunters who use diaphragm calls will often purchase them in multi-packs or select a variety of calls with different reed cuts (e.g., bat-wing, ghost cut, straight cut) to achieve a broader range of turkey vocalizations. While this specific model focuses on a triple reed design for rasp, pairing it with a different cut call could offer a more versatile calling repertoire for a serious turkey hunter.

Pros and Cons of Strut Commander Original Strut Commander

Who Should Buy Strut Commander Original Strut Commander?

The Strut Commander Original Strut Commander is an excellent choice for intermediate turkey hunters looking to improve their calling skills without breaking the bank. If you’re someone who has some experience with turkey hunting but struggles to produce those realistic, raspy yelps that can fool wary toms, this call is designed for you. It’s also a great option for new hunters who want to start with a call that’s more forgiving than some advanced models but still offers authentic sounds. Its soft to medium volume makes it particularly well-suited for hunting in wooded areas where long-range projection isn’t as critical.

However, if you are an advanced caller who needs to project across vast open fields or are looking for a call that produces extremely loud volumes, you might find its limitations. Hunters who require sterile equipment for ethical reasons or are seeking highly specialized, competition-level calls would also likely look elsewhere. For those who do decide to purchase, consider getting a couple of these calls to rotate or to have a backup, as is good practice for any essential hunting gear.

Conclusion on Strut Commander Original Strut Commander

The Strut Commander Original Strut Commander is a solid, no-nonsense turkey call that delivers on its promise of a raspy yelp at an accessible price. Its triple reed design is its standout feature, effectively mimicking a crucial hen sound that can turn a silent morning into a successful hunt. For intermediate callers or beginners looking to step up their game, this call offers a user-friendly experience with surprisingly realistic results. While its soft to medium volume might not be ideal for every hunting scenario, particularly in wide-open spaces, it excels in wooded environments and for those who prefer a more controlled, subtle approach to calling.

At $9.99, the value proposition is exceptionally strong. You’re getting a functional, well-designed call that can genuinely contribute to your turkey hunting success without a significant financial investment. I would recommend this call to any hunter looking for an affordable way to add a reliable, raspy yelp to their arsenal. It’s a tool that allows you to communicate more effectively with wild turkeys, and in the world of turkey hunting, that’s exactly what you need.